Introduction

In today’s fast-paced world, digital transformation has become a catalyst for economic growth, innovation and improved quality of life globally. Africa is no exception to this prevailing trend. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the 11th African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG 2023) in Abuja, Nigeria. Alongside experts, policy makers and fellow participants, we explored critical topics like internet governance, data governance, and spearheading digital transformation in the African context.…

In September, I embarked on an extraordinary adventure alongside other delegates at the 2023 African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG), or as we jokingly called it, “Anriette’s boot camp”. This thrilling experience unfolded in the vibrant Nigerian capital, Abuja, uniting over 40 delegates from diverse backgrounds, including media, civil society organisations (CSOs), academia, parliaments and research groups. It felt a bit like assembling the Avengers of Internet Governance – each of us with our unique superpowers!

At the heart of this year’s practicum was the task of crafting a…

As a self-proclaimed data journalist, I went into the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSiG) with my resume boasting numerous intensive data journalism fellowships and workshops. However, my experience at AfriSiG called it a bluff. It exposed the fluff in my expertise and revealed a lack of depth and nuance. As one of the AfriSiG 2023 fellows, I had an eye-opening experience on a topic often left out in the practice and training of data journalism: data governance.

And while yes, I knew some elements of this from my fact-…

During the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) held in Abuja, Nigeria from 13 to 18 September 2023, the essence of the multistakeholder approach in internet governance was emphasised.

The internet is very dynamic and therefore it requires a different form of governance structure. Due to the vastness and the intricacies of the internet, it is only prudent that governance structures and systems open themselves up to collaborate with other stakeholders in order to best regulate the internet.

The multistakeholder approach…

It was a great privilege to attend the 11th edition of the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) 2023 convened by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the African Union Commission (AUC) and Research ICT Africa, in collaboration with Paradigm Initiative, the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Parliamentary Track, the hosts and organisers of the 2023 African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF), the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian Communications Commission, and the AfIGF secretariat and Multistakeholder Advisory Group. AfriSIG…

Understanding the intricate web of policies and principles that govern the digital age has become vital, especially where the internet is the lifeblood of our interconnected world. My journey into the fascinating realm of internet governance began when I had the privilege of attending the prestigious African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG), organised by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), the African Union Commission (AUC) and Research ICT Africa (RIA) and held in Abuja, Nigeria.

This intensive…

It’s 13:55 on a bright Friday afternoon at Kamuzu International Airport in what you know to be the warm heart of Africa, Malawi. I am trying to get hold of my little brother Juventus, who is picking me up at Chileka Airport later in the evening, but I am unable to access the free government Wi-Fi under the digital Malawi project, despite the network popping up on the radar. My mind immediately wanders back to the beautiful closed walls of the conference room at the Envoy Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria; figures of fellows and experts with translation headphones over their heads come alive. The…

On 13 September, somewhere within the energetic corridors of Envoy Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria, a gathering of minds from across Africa were sharing and learning about Africa’s digital landscape at the 11th African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG). For close to a week, spanning from 13 to 18 September 2023, our mission was to contribute to working out the intricacies of the African Union’s Data Policy Framework, introduced in June 2022. A roadmap, or a compass…

On the evening of 15 September 2023, the meeting room at the Envoy Hotel on Diplomatic Drive in Abuja, Nigeria was filled with anticipation as the chairperson simulated United Nations negotiations, giving civil society, media, legislators and government representatives a glimpse and vivid picture of how African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) fellows can influence policies at regional and international platforms.

“Civil society, Ladies and Gentlemen, I call to order the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG) fellows to engage on implementing the African Union Data…

As a participant in the 11th African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG 2023), I had the privilege of engaging with experts from governments across Africa, members of parliament from different countries, policy makers and other fellow participants to deepen my understanding of crucial topics related to internet governance, data governance and digital transformation. The insights gained during this intensive week of learning will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the national data strategy of Uganda, the intellectual property guidelines for ICT innovations, and the national…

I was excited to be considered as a fellow for the 2023 African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG), held in Abuja, Nigeria from 13 to 18 September 2023. This opportunity introduced me to learning more about the biggest challenges in governance of the internet, which include the huge paradox of the gender digital divide, the application of a human rights approach in laws and policy making, and the best approach to employ in order to involve everyone in internet governance, since a lack of involvement may lead to exclusions.

The…

I left my three-year-old son, who had just gotten his tonsils and adenoids removed, to attend the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG 2023). It was a difficult decision, but I was determined to learn more about internet governance and how it could be used to improve the lives of people in Africa. It was comforting to know that he was not going to struggle with sleep apnea again and that I left him in the safe hands of my helper, his grandmother, his father, and above all, God.

AfriSIG was a treasure hunt for me. I discovered a new world of knowledge and insights, met…